FYI: Fixing underhood lamp

fhturner · 09-23-03, 11:00 AM

Just thought I'd post about a problem that I finally got to the bottom of last night... I had noticed that my underhood lamp was not coming on. Tried replacing the bulb, which blinded me for about 3 seconds, then went out. Tried 2 more bulbs, to no avail. Figured maybe if it wasn't a bad connection, it might be a blown fuse. After looking through the owner's manual, I could find no fuse entry that listed anything like "underhood lamp".

I also looked in the service manuals, but the only listings I could find for "underhood lamp" were simply for replacing the bulb and replacing the entire lamp assembly. I finally stumbled across a wiring schematic that showed the underhood lamp, along with the interior vanity mirror lamps. I thought I had noticed previously that the vanity lamps were also not working. Went to check it out again, and sure enough-- they were out, too. The wiring schematic showed all of those lamps to be wired through MiniFuse 2 on the Instrument Panel Electrical Center (passenger footwell). Replacing this fuse returned power to all associated lamps. The circuit/fuse is listed in the manual as something like "Inadvertent Load."

Anyway, hope this might help someone in the future who comes to the CAC and searches for "underhood lamp".

L8r,
Fred

09-23-03, 08:23 PM

I'm gonna tell my c5 mechanic about this. My visors/vanity lights have not worked and they are currently trying to figure it out. I hope they checked the fuses but you never know.

fhturner · 09-23-03, 08:51 PM

Yeah, definitely point this out to them. I sure hope that's it-- very easy thing to fix once you know what it is! Let us know if this was the fix after you talk to 'em...

Dellboy · 10-19-03, 04:21 PM

Thanks a lot I have been searching for that fuse for about 3 weeks.

fhturner · 10-20-03, 09:42 AM

Cool! Glad to help out! It is a tricky one to track down...

10-21-03, 07:50 PM

This wasn't what fixed my problem. They said it was "wiring" The work was covered under warranty so I didn't question it, but next time I will check this out first (if there is a next time).
Thanks though...

Dragon Daddy · 12-08-07, 08:09 PM

What makes the lamp turn on?? I replaced the bulb and checked the fuse and it still is not working.

Johnnykretentiv · 12-13-07, 07:46 AM

Dragon Daddy

Check to see if your light is unplugged. There is a connection near the radiator shroud next to the headlight that was disconnected on mine. The 1st owner diconnected it to put in the new intake.

Dragon Daddy · 03-28-08, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnykretentiv

Dragon Daddy

Check to see if your light is unplugged. There is a connection near the radiator shroud next to the headlight that was disconnected on mine. The 1st owner diconnected it to put in the new intake.

The connector you referenced was plugged together, but the connection was poor. Took it apart and cleaned the contact surfaces and it works fine now.

Thanks.

DD

Johnnykretentiv · 03-28-08, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon Daddy

The connector you referenced was plugged together, but the connection was poor. Took it apart and cleaned the contact surfaces and it works fine now.

Thanks.

DD

Good stuff. I wish I could find the other end of the connection for mine. I can find the end coming from the lamp but annot for the life of me find the other end to plug them together.